Local Houses and Gardens
Quebec House
Quebec Square, Westerham, Kent TN16 1TP
Quebec House stands at the eastern entrance to Westerham. A charming 17th century red brick house, it was the boyhood home of General James Wolfe. The low–ceilinged panelled rooms contain memorabilia relating to his family and career, whilst the Tudor stable block houses an exhibition about the Battle of Quebec (1759).
Tel: 01732 868381
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Chartwell
Mapleton Rd, Westerham, Kent TN16 1PS
Purchased by Winston Churchill in 1922 and his home until his death in 1965, stands beside a quiet lane less that two miles south of Westerham. Now owned by the National Trust it attracts around 150,000 visitors a year. Evidence of Sir Winston’s long ownership remains in the many personal changes made to the property. Although primarily a family home, two large rooms have been converted to create a museum and one can view gifts received from many nations of the world in tribute to his inspiring leadership; also on display are many of the uniforms Sir Winston wore during his lifetime.
Tel: 01732 866368 (Infoline)
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Charts Edge Gardens – Closed to the public for the foreseeable future
Hosey Hill, Westerham, Kent TN16 1PL
Charts Edge Gardens are located on the Kent/Surrey border, easily reached whilst visiting Chartwell (approx 1 mile), or Squerryes Court (approx 1.5 miles). Located just off the A25 on the B2026, south of Westerham and easily accessed from Junction 5 and 6 of the M25. The Gardens have been featured on television and also in The Good Gardens Guide.They cover some 10 acres and are spectacular with many varieties and unusual plants. Features include:
- An innovative rainbow border flanking the rill garden.
- Magnificent displays of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias and Magnolias.
- The terraced water garden and cascades.
- Bog garden, exotic garden and rock garden with over 150 varieties.
Opening Times: From mid-April to mid-September, Fridays and Sundays, 2-5pm
Tel: 01959 565541 (daytime) or 07833385169
Email: chartsedgegardens@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.chartsedgegardens.co.uk
Emmetts Garden
Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 6AY
This charming and informal garden was laid out in the late 19th century, with many exotic and rare trees and shrubs from across the world.While there are glorious shows of spring flowers and shrubs, a rose garden and rock garden, Emmetts is equally attractive for its spectacular views at all times and for its autumn colours.
Tel: 01732 450608
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Hever Castle
Hever, Nr. Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG
Magical Hever Castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the doomed second wife of Henry VIII, is one of the major visitor attractions in the country and houses one of the best collections of Tudor portraits after the National Portrait Gallery. There have been three main periods in the construction of this historic castle.The oldest part dates back to 1270 and consisted of the gatehouse and a walled bailey.
Tel: 01732 865224
Website: www.hevercastle.co.uk
Down House
Luxted Rd, Downe, Kent BR6 7JTT
Charles Darwin used the estate, including the Great House Meadow and greenhouses surrounding Down House, as an inspiration for his work and a test bed for his ideas. The estate has survived in structure and extent almost unscathed since Darwin’s death in 1882. English Heritage completed a five year restoration of the garden in the spring of 2003, which aimed to re-create the appearance and atmosphere of the garden as it was towards the end of Darwin’s life.
Tel: 01689 859119
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Penshurst Place
Penshurst, Kent TN11 8DG
Set in the rural Weald of Kent surrounded by picturesque countryside and ancient parkland, Penshurst Place and Gardens has changed little over the centuries. This mediaeval masterpiece has been the seat of the Sidney family since 1552 and retains the warmth and character of a much-loved family home. The splendid 11-acre formal walled garden, including the acclaimed Italian Garden, with records dating back to 1346, is one of the oldest gardens in private ownership. It remains much as it was when constructed by Sir Henry Sidney in the Elizabethan era.
Tel: 01892 870307
Website: www.penshurstplace.com/
Chiddingstone Castle
Hill Hoath Road, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7AD
Chiddingstone Castle, a unique and unspoilt castle in Kent set in 35 acres of grounds including a lake open to fishermen, a rose garden, and magnificent woodland. Stunning Egyptian and Buddhist artefacts, magnificent Japanese armour, and beautiful Jacobean paintings are held in trust for the nation by this independent charity and are on display as part of our outstanding collections.
Tel: 01892 870347
Website: www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk
Knole
Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1HU
Set at the heart of the only remaining medieval deer park in Kent, Knole has fascinating links with kings, queens and nobility. It was the birthplace and childhood home of Vita Sackville-West, who went on to create the gardens at Sissinghurst., and was the setting for Virginia Wolfe’s novel, Orlando. The house contains world renowned Stuart furniture, important paintings and the prototype of the famous Knole settee.
Tel: 01732 462 100
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole
Ightham Mote
Ightham, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0NT
Dating from 1320, Ightham Mote is a romantic moated manor house. Highlights include The Great Hall, crypt, Tudor chapel with a hand-painted ceiling and the apartments of the American donor Charles Henry Robinson. An enchanting feature is the Grade I-listed dog kennel, situated in the picturesque courtyard. Ightham Mote is surrounded by its lovely gardens with water features, lakes and woodland walks.
Tel: 01732 811 145
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ighthammote/
Toys Hill
Woodland about 1 mile to the east of Westerham via French Street at TN16 1QG
Visit Toys Hill on the highest point on the Greensand Ridge in Kent and view the four counties of Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey. Toys Hill covers more than 200 acres of woodland and a lovely place to enjoy a peaceful, relaxing walk admire fine views over the Weald and discover the wildlife it supports.
Tel: 01372 453401
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens
Riverhill, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 ORR
Have a great family day out in the most imaginative garden to visit in Kent. Learn about the plants brought back from the Himalayas, build dens together, discover secret pathways and incredible views and perhaps even spot the elusive Yeti!
Tel: 01732 459777
Website: www.riverhillgardens.co.uk
Great Comp Garden
Comp Lane, Platt, Borough Green, Nr Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 8QS
Set in the heart of the Garden of England and surrounding a 17th century house, Great Comp Garden is the delightful creation of Roderick and Joy Cameron since moving to Great Comp in 1957. The gardens are now run by the Curator William Dyson, assisted by two full time gardeners, 2 part time gardeners and a small team of volunteers.
Tel: 01732 885094
Website: www.greatcompgarden.co.uk
Groombridge Place Gardens and Enchanted Forest
Groombridge, Near Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9QG
The formal walled gardens at feature statues, drunken topiary and a giant chess set, whilst the ancient woodland forest features playgrounds, stunning views, unusual animals, quiet seats, beautiful flowers, huge swings, strange plants and shy deer – appealing to young and old alike.
Tel: 01892 861444
Website: http://www.groombridgeplace.com/
Titsey Place & Gardens
Titsey, Oxted, Surrey RH8 0SD
Titsey is one of the largest surviving historic estates in Surrey. It dates back to the mid-sixteenth century, though the first impression now is of a comfortable early-nineteenth century house in a picturesque park. The interior of the main part of the house survives as designed by William Atkinson and has well-proportioned rooms with Regency plaster cornices, panelled doors, and simple marble chimneypieces. Collections include family porcelain and a stunning set of 4 Canaletto pictures.
Website: www.titsey.org/
Lullingstone Castle & The World of Plants
Eynsford, Kent DA4 0AJ
Lullingstone Castle is one of the oldest family Estates in the country and dates back to the Domesday. It has been in the Hart Dyke family for 20 generations. The famous World Garden is laid out in the shape of the map of the world and contains plants, planted in their respective areas of origin, collected from across the globe. The Gardens house the National Collection of Eucalyptus.
Tel: 01322 862114
Website: www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk
Hall Place Gardens
Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ
The award-winning Hall Place Gardens surround the Grade 1 listed country house built in 1537 for former Lord Mayor of London. The recently restored Tudor house is open to the public with new displays including an introduction to the house’s history and exhibits from Bexley’s museum collection. The 75 hectares of formal gardens and landscaped parkland also feature a magnificent topiary lawn as well as enclosed gardens and inspirational herbaceous borders. In the walled gardens there are sub-tropical glasshouses and a nursery selling Hall Place plants. A new visitor centre onsite offers a riverside tearoom and gift shop.
Tel: 01322 526574
Website: www.bexleyheritagetrust.org.uk/hallplace
Standen
West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 4NE
Standen is The National Trust’s flagship Arts and Crafts country house. Famous for its William Morris wallpapers, textiles and contemporary fittings, the house was built in the 1890s by architect Philip Webb. The House and the acres of gardens and walks with superb views over the Medway Valley are open from March to November.
Tel: 01342 323029
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/standen/